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Collection of Minor Texts Verses of Dhamma The “Established in Dhamma” Chapter One is not established in Dhamma if one seeks benefit using violence; a wise person does not wish to have both benefit and detriment. One who guides others nonviolently, peacefully, in accordance with Dhamma, such a wise person is a guardian of the Dhamma and is said to be established in Dhamma. One is not wise just because one talks a lot. One who is safe, non-hostile, harmless and fearless is said to be wise. One is not an upholder of the Dhamma just because one talks a lot. Even if one has learned little but personally sees the Dhamma, then one is an upholder of the Dhamma, one who does not neglect the Dhamma. One is not an elder just because one has grey hairs on one's head. One is who is decrepit and feeble is said to be an old fool. But one who is truthful, in accordance with the Dhamma, harmless, self-restrained, trained, steadfast, and free of all contaminants is said to be an elder. Not by the quality of their conversation or the beauty of their appearance is a person considered excellent, if they are envious, stingy, and deceitful. One who has shredded, uprooted, and destroyed those qualities, a wise person who has expelled their defects, is said to be excellent. One is not a contemplative just because one has a shaven head. If one has no religious practices, tells lies, and is full of desire and greed, how can they be a contemplative? One who tranquilizes all that is evil, whether minor or major, one who has tranquilized all that is evil is said to be a contemplative. One is not a monk just because one receives almsfood from others. One who takes up a flawed doctrine is not a monk. One who has discarded both merit and evil, lives a spiritual life, and wanders in the world with careful consideration is said to be a monk. One is not a sage if they act like one yet are confused and ignorant. A wise person who carefully weighs their options, chooses the best, and completely avoids evil is a sage; because of this one is a sage. One who evaluates both of these in the world is said to be a sage. One is not noble if one harms living beings. One who does not harm any living being is said to be noble. Not just by morality or by spiritual practices or by learning a lot or by gaining concentration or by sleeping in seclusion or by experiencing the happiness of renunciation or by associating with uncommon people should a monk be satisfied as long as one’s defilements have not been eliminated.